New Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford along with newly elected City Commissioners Duke Miller and Jo Ann Mattick had hardly been sworn into office at the Nov. 16 commission meeting before they ended up spending nearly an hour dealing with one of the old problems that has plagued the city through a number of previous administrations: drainage.

The new Anna Maria City Commission may have to face a very vexing question in the near future, following the code enforcement board's Nov. 13 ruling in the case of Pine Avenue property owner Frank Almeda.

A partial renourishment of several portions of Anna Maria Island beaches planned by Manatee County to begin by late December won't be taking place this year, according to Manatee County Ecosystems Manager Charlie Hunsicker.

Gray clouds hung overhead and the night's downpour dampened the morning, but Pierrette Kelly's face brightened as she observed the festivities on the grounds of the Anna Maria Island Community Center Nov. 16.

Bankrupt GSR Development LLC avoided disclosing its full financial affairs and providing a reorganization plan to the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court in Tampa Nov. 13 by filing a motion on Nov. 10 to extend the deadline.

The news these days is full of scary headlines saying that rates for wind insurance with Citizens Property Insurance Corp. may jump 104 to 1,200 percent for Manatee and Sarasota property owners. But it’s too early to panic.

Sandy Haas-Martens, Pat Geyer, John Monetti and Rich Bohnenberger took their oaths of office on Monday morning at Holmes Beach City Hall. Haas-Martens, an incumbent, and Monetti, a newcomer, won a five-person race for two city commission seats in the Nov. 7 election. Pat Geyer, the third-place finisher in the election, was appointed on Monday to finish Bohnenberger's term. Bohnenberger ran unopposed for mayor, giving up his seat on the commission with a year remaining on his term. During a brief organizational meeting, the new commission elected Hass-Martens as chairperson and Monetti as vice chairperson. Bob Sweat, Manatee County supervisor of elections, swore in the newly elected officeholders. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

Top Notch: First weekly winner also 2006 grand prize winner
The grand prize winner from among six weekly award-winning photos in the 2006 "Top Notch" Islander photo contest is 'Hermit' by Kim Klement of Bradenton. Her shot was the first winner on June 28 and was taken at Andros Island in the Bahamas in May. She can claim her grand prize, including $100 from The Islander, a dining certificate from Ooh La La! Bistro, a bottle of champagne from Anna Maria Island Liquor and Wine, dinner for two at a Chiles Group Restaurant and framing of the winning photo by Decor and More. Congratulations to all the winners - and be watching next week for our featured runnersup.

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